The signs you need to hire in-home help may start small. Dad admits he sometimes forgets to take his medicine. Mom doesn’t have much food in the cupboard, or you notice she can’t keep her once-meticulous home clean. Eventually, you realize the time has come for hiring in-home help. 

How to Know If In-Home Help is Needed

Signs that a senior has trouble meeting their own needs can add up gradually. Perhaps you see a decline in personal grooming or new or worsening health issues. 

Indications that your loved one may need in-home help include:

• Onset of illness or injury
• Declining hygiene
• Neglecting home care
• Decreased mobility
• Increased memory loss
• Ongoing isolation 

Types of In-Home Help

Hiring in-home help is not a one-size-fits-all solution. There are multiple options. You need to start by evaluating your loved one’s needs. You also should assess your needs and availability as a caregiver and take a close look at the many possible choices for in-home care.

Family Caregiver

You or another family member may be able to assist your ill or disabled loved one. If you or a relative have the time and ability to help with nursing, homemaking, companionship, and other services, you may be able to meet home-care needs with no expense.

Personal Care Aides

If a family caregiver arrangement is not available or practical, you may consider hiring a personal care aid. Personal care aides are not licensed but can serve as helpers and companions for seniors. Many personal care aides help with bathing and dressing, preparing meals, doing light housekeeping, running errands, and providing transportation to shopping and appointments. Training requirements for personal care aids vary by state.

Home Health Aides

Home health aides must meet a federal standard of 75 hours of training. Other training and certification requirements vary by state. Home health aides monitor the patient’s health and vital signs and help with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, and using the bathroom. They also do light housekeeping, prepare meals, offer companionship and help with errands, transportation, and other needs.

Licensed Nursing Assistant/Certified Nursing Assistants

Licensed and certified nursing assistants have more medical training than home health or personal care aides. These nursing assistants monitor the patient’s health and conduct various medical tasks under the direction of a registered nurse or nurse practitioner. Nursing assistants can set up medical equipment, change dressings, clean catheters, monitor infections, conduct range-of-motion exercises, and administer treatments. They also provide help with personal care and domestic tasks. Like home health aides, nursing assistants must have 75 hours of training. Some states require additional training.

Licensed Practical Nurse

Skilled nursing providers are also known as licensed practical nurses or licensed vocational nurses. They can provide medical care, including administering IV drugs, tube feedings,  shots, and changing wound dressings. Some licensed practical nurses provide occupational, physical, and speech therapy. They must complete accredited certification programs and pass licensing exams.

Registered Nurse

Registered nurses have the most training and provide the highest level of patient care. Registered nurses must earn an associate degree in nursing, pass a licensure exam, and meet other state licensing requirements. These nurses provide direct care, administer medications, and operate medical equipment. They also supervise licensed practical nurses and create treatment plans.

Paying for In-Home Help

The first question most people have when considering hiring in-home help is how it will cost. In the United States, the average cost of in-home health was $4,000 to $5,000 a month in 2020. But costs vary by state and location. Some caregivers charge daily, but most charge hourly rates. Those rates range from about $13 to $36 per hour, depending on the person’s credentials. Overnight rates tend to be lower since these services are mainly for seniors who need assistance going to the bathroom or ensuring their safety during the night.

Reimbursement from Insurance, Medicare/Medicaid

To receive coverage for in-home care from personal insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, the person needing care needs a doctor’s prescription. Some Medicare Advantage plans cover personal care. Medicare covers home health skilled nursing care that is part-time or intermittent, doctor-prescribed, and arranged by a Medicare-certified home health agency.

Finding In-Home Help

Once you decide on hiring in-home help, where do you start to find the right caregivers? You have choices from employing a home health agency to conducting an independent search.

Types of care to consider: 

• Home Health Agency. A home health agency supplies prescreened workers and handles all the details. This choice is more convenient but can be more expensive.
• Caregiver Registry. Caregiver registries connect families with independent home health workers, usually for a one-time fee.
• Referral. Seek recommendations from people you know or organizations you trust.
• Independent Search. Finding in-home health independently can be more difficult but also more economical.

Tips for Hiring In-Home Help

Choosing the right caregiver is critical for you and your loved one. There are factors to consider and evaluate.

Things to consider when hiring in-home help include:

• Compatibility. Make sure your caregiver gets along well with your loved one. Consider a trial period to assess compatibility, how they communicate with you and the patient, and how they handle caregiving tasks.
• Credentials. Be sure to find a caregiver with the proper credentials and experience. Check certifications and licenses.
• References. Always call prospective caregivers’ references and do background checks. Make sure the candidates have no criminal records, and previous employers recommend them.
• Contracts. Insist that you and the caregiver sign a contract. This document will specify the job details, schedules, pay, and expectations.

Communication is Key

Above all, communication is key to a successful caregiver relationship. You need to find a caregiver you can communicate with easily and who is willing to discuss communication methods in advance.

Technology, such as caregiver apps can help ensure effective communication. The Fokes app offers one way to facilitate efficient communication and ensure high-quality care.

Fokes offers technology that connects patients, caregivers, and family members and eliminates communication barriers. Learn more about how Fokes can make hiring and work with in-home help more manageable. Contact Fokes today with questions or for more information.